5min
If you’re in need of a new and improved website for your business, and you take steps to search now for potential partners, you'll quickly begin to realise that there is more than enough choice out there. However, not all will be equally suitable partners for the job by any means and most could quite possibly leave you struggling with the results.
It's a great idea to partner with a company that has worked on other businesses' websites which are similar to your own and doing it successfully because they will surely understand what customers want from your products and services as well as how they peruse websites when they look for them (a lot like you're doing right now!).
How things stand right now
If you're thinking about hiring a new web design agency, it's very important to remember that things change, and this includes your web design goals and objectives.
If you are looking for the perfect design that can turn heads, or perhaps your company has outgrown your web design company, you need a organisation that truly “gets it” - an agency who can work within your organisation to grow together as one team.
You need to consider finding a new web agency with experience in one, two, or all of the following: business management, marketing, brand identity & logo design, web development, and programming maintaining an updated blog with content and social media components (anchors), email marketing campaigns, PPC advertising management via Google Ads, SEO and SEM analysis search engine rankings etc.
When it comes to making digital work for your company, you need to find a partner that you can trust to tell you what works and what doesn't. Be sure to hire the right people for the job, whether it's an employee, a partner, or a combination.
It doesn't matter why you are looking for a partner, there is someone out there who is suitable for you.
You might want to consider...
Would I rather have a new website or an opportunity-packed digital ecosystem?
A digital ecosystem will help you achieve ROI and conversions on your website. Designing a new website is only the beginning. There is much more to a successful website than this. You should opt to work with a digital agency.
For small businesses, they will likely have minimum funds to invest in a professionally designed website. That's where a web design partner comes in.
Web design partners can improve low-budget websites aesthetics. However, web design partners will most likely offer you limited services and will most likely complete the project and then walk away.
Web design companies
If you are looking for a better way to create your website using a web development company, you may need to spend some time understanding exactly why you want to take this step. While many bisinesses think that a web design company is going to help them create a high-quality and attractive website, this is often not the case.
In reality, web design companies are often more concerned with delivering a project to your brief than with what is best for your business and your audience, so you will find that they tend to jump right into the web design process at the very beginning.
Although your web design company wants to design something that they think is aesthetically pleasing and will improve your business, they may not take into consideration how it will affect your audience at all. You'll find that a lot of web design companies tend to do this. They jump right into the design of the site when they should be working with you to understand your objectives first.
The designer will likely need a few things before he or she can design your site, such as:
How many pages do you have?
- What content do you have?
- Do you need any specific functionality?
- Could you please send me images and other media?
While this process might be less intimidating for businesses that are less invested in project input, don't you deserve more for your business?
Advantages of hiring a web design firm
- A cost-effective option for small businesses
- Your request will be granted without a doubt
- Finding a local agent is easy
- Small businesses can avail of their service
The disadvantages of web design companies
- Design without real business considerations
- Often, projects are outsourced in part (or in whole)
- Advancements in design and technology are general outdated
- No time is invested in understanding your business needs
- Your website's success depends on you
Inbound Marketing Agencies
A digital agency creates a recipe book that features the right kinds of audience-appealing recipes, bringing audiences in and converting them into loyal customers who love to purchase from your company. To engage with your target audiences and convert opportunities, build a website with functionalities (such as subscription options) that make it easy for prospects to move around on your site and do what they have come to do. This makes for a continuous, effective introduction to your brand.
Website designers and developers are only part of what creative digital agencies do. In addition to website design and development, they also implement marketing strategies, CRM systems, and automation systems.
Usually, project managers are people who specialise in their field and possess an in-depth knowledge of it. Every digital project consists of a team comprised of:
A Project Manager to ensure a smooth project. Your project manager will understand every stage like the back of his hand, and he or she will keep you informed on the progress of your project at all times.
Your Digital Strategist will be responsible for working with you to find the right strategy and solution, as well as recommending options that you may not have considered.
An experienced Creative Lead who is responsible for the design process and produces compelling solutions based on the user experience.
A team of in-house animators, illustrators, and photographers to ensure that everything operates seamlessly and adds extra flair.
A front-end developer will collaborate with a designer, creative lead, and digital strategist in bringing the project to life and ensuring it works well everywhere.
An experienced back-end developer who is responsible for things such as CMS functionality, third-party applications, and server configuration for your application.
Understanding is the key to better design
If you're looking to redesign or develop a brand-new website, there are many ways to go about it. Depending on what you're looking for, however, you might want to use a digital agency. There are many differences between a digital agency and a web design company, but one of the biggest is how they work. Generally, a digital agency won't start designing a website until the user research and business analysis stage is done. They will take a large amount of time working on the interior and exterior of the website. This type of company often charges higher prices due to how much time and effort is put into the design process, so it's important to make sure their services are worth it to you.
Digital agencies usually require in-depth meetings with them before they begin the design. These meetings will allow the agency to get a clear idea of what you want, but they're also valuable to you. These meetings will allow you to get a sense of what the company is like and what they can do for you.
Furthermore, they'll get a sense of what your business is like and what can be achieved in the given time frame. A digital agency can have a two-stage process for web design, where the first stage is the project brief, and the second stage is the design brief. This means that the agency will spend a lot of time understanding your company and your users and only then will they create a design that is in line with your goals and your users' needs.
The advantages of a digital agency
- Maximum return on investment
- They can inform you of the most effective approaches
- The resulting long-term partnership will help your business grow
- You can rely on them to make your web or app successful
- They can adjust to your work style
- Innovations that stand the test of time
The disadvantages of a digital agency
- The strategy process can cost more
- Delivers projects for SMEs, not startups
Which do you think is the best match for you?
It's no secret that web design has become integral for businesses of all sizes to deliver on their marketing and sales goals. Most of the time, the agency you choose can make the difference between good and bad results. However, there are some things you should look for to ensure you choose the right company. For example, quality of work is more important than price. And if you're looking to get the most out of your budget, it's critical that you identify your goals first, then prioritise the digital channels that are most likely to help you achieve them.
